Thursday, August 11, 2011

(This article I wrote is rather lengthy but it touches on a subject that everyone living on the planet should be concerned about.)

“Warning, eating fresh fruits and vegetables may cause learning disabilities, cancer, many other severe health conditions, and even death, for you and your family.” I realize that sounds farfetched, but unfortunately it is true. A warning should appear on many foods consumed by the unsuspecting public. There are health risk labels on tobacco and alcohol products notifying the consumer that the use of those products “may cause health problems.” In the meantime, people are unknowingly eating, breathing and drinking highly toxic residue from pesticides, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in commercial farming, and listed as “safe for human consumption in low doses.” Why is it that there is no notification to the public from the FDA regarding food supplies that have potentially toxic pesticide residues? They do not allow people the option to make the choice as to whether or not they wish to subject their families to harmful toxins. It is up to the people to take a stand and not leave it up to the government to do what is right for humanity and the planet. We must all pay closer attention and educate ourselves on what goes on in commercial agriculture, start buying organic products, and contact our government and let them know that we no longer find this acceptable. We must demand immediate changes to take place to ensure the health of American families and the environment. We can no longer trust that the government is doing all that it can to ensure that the food that ends up on our plate will not end up destroying us, just like the Honey bees (as well as many other pollinators).Honey bees are responsible for pollinating one third of our food supply. They are crucial to human survival. Over the last several years, billions of bee colonies have been collapsing. Scientist named this phenomenon, “Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).” Recent studies have found that toxic pesticides, which the government allows commercial agricultural farmers to spray on crops, contribute greatly to the cause. However, these pesticides remain in fresh fruits, vegetables, and many of the food products on the market today. One such pesticide in question is “neonicotinoids”, a neurotoxin that affects the central nervous system of insects. This chemical explains the reason why the honey bees leave the hive and do not return. Having a destroyed central nervous system, they simply cannot remember where the hive is. These chemicals are still widely used in the United States but many other countries have banned the use of neonicotinoids since 1999, due to the effect on the honey bees. Unsuspecting consumers, trusting in the government to do the right thing to ensure safety, are consuming these products and ending up with dangerous chemicals in their blood stream. Evidence is increasing that daily overexposure to harmful chemicals is causing serious health problems, such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and learning disabilities in children, according to the Pesticide Action Network.Also, according to the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) website, two pesticides (DDT degradants and chlorpyofos), directly absorbed in our systems by the foods we eat, have been found in approximately 90% of Americans tested. This is only two out of the dozens of pesticides found in our food. The PAN website, called “Whatsonmyfood.org”, collects data directly from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in regards to residual pesticides and the toxin levels in various different foods. For example, according to PAN, “48 different pesticides were found on spinach, including 5 known or probable carcinogens.” According to the USDA Pesticide Data Program, 54 pesticide residues were detected in strawberries that were tested. Nine of those pesticides listed were “known or probable carcinogens, 24 suspected hormone disrupters, 11 neurotoxins, 12 developmental or reproductive toxins”, as well as “19 honey bee toxins.” I have never seen a label with those frightening ingredients on the packages of fresh strawberries that I have purchased from my supermarket. That is another good reason to be overly concerned, switch to organic and pesticide free foods whenever possible, and complain to the government until they listen. In a recent study performed by Harvard University (and reported on the PAN website), it was determined that pesticides, even small amounts, could have a major effect on the brain. Unfortunately, children are the most vulnerable. “Finding :: Kids with above-average pesticide exposures are 2x as likely to have ADHD.” Many of these pesticides pass through the mother’s placenta directly to the fetus while the brain is forming, as well as to the newborn through breast milk. Many children today, labeled with a condition called “Attention Deficit Disorder”, are being prescribed drugs with undesirable side effects such as Ritalin. It might be a good idea for parents to insist on the child having tests performed, looking for pesticides in the blood, before resorting to drugs to fix the problem. Who knows what problems can occur down the line if symptoms of overexposure to chemicals are just relieved with medications. Could it be possible it could lower the immune system and lead to cancer?Cancer is a growing epidemic, especially in children. A lot of time and money goes into researching a cure. In the meantime, we need to eliminate the obvious causes. Years ago when I was a child, I never really heard of too many cases of cancer. I remember maybe one elderly uncle dying of colon cancer but that was about it. Today, everywhere you look, the old and the very young are dying from all forms of cancer. My son’s 18-year-old friend is currently battling cancer of the lymph nodes. Coincidentally, he lives next door to a non-organic produce farm. Cancer, such as pancreatic cancer, used to be rare but has become much more common over the last several years. My Father, may he rest in peace, survived World War II, yet he could not survive pancreatic cancer. He had quit smoking due to his fear of getting lung cancer. He replaced smoking with an addiction to eating almonds. Oddly, I just read on the PAN website that non-organic almonds tested had “known or probable carcinogens, suspected hormone disrupters, neurotoxins, and traces of honey bee toxins.” Furthermore, on the PAN website, recent studies show that over 500,000 men, women and children die each year from cancer and “one out of five Americans can expect to die from cancer.” This is frightening and it is far from normal. They say they are uncertain of how pesticides in our food contributes to those numbers, but the “President’s Cancer Panel” of the National Cancer Institute just recently delivered a report to President Obama. Part of the report states, “The American people — even before they are born — are bombarded continually with myriad combinations of these dangerous exposures. The Panel urges you most strongly to use the power of your office to remove the carcinogens and other toxins from our food, water, and air that needlessly increase health care costs, cripple our Nation’s productivity, and devastate American lives.” In addition, a woman by the name of Sandra Steingraber, biologist and cancer survivor, wrote, “We have sprayed pesticides … throughout our shared environment. They are now in amniotic fluid. They’re in our blood. They’re in our urine. They’re in our exhaled breath. They are in mothers’ milk … What is the burden of cancer that we can attribute to this use of poisons in our agricultural system? ... We won’t really know the answer until we do the other experiment — which is to take the poisons out of our food chain, embrace a different kind of agriculture, and see what happens.”Regrettably, we are up against is a “chemical cartel. As it stands now, the “big six” control the fate of our food and farming. Six major multinational companies (Bayer, Dow, Monsanto, BASF, Syngenta, and DuPont) have “a power over the world’s seed, pesticide and biotech industries”, according yet again to PAN. These huge conglomerates come up with new pesticides and genetically modified seeds (GMO’s) and use the public as “human guinea pigs” to perform tests on. We are uninformed and trust in our government to ensure our safety, but money talks. Again, we should be properly educated. Report less on Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen antics, make public announcements when testing new pesticides on agricultural crops, and when testing out GMO’s, without knowing the long term affects on nature and human health.The next time you sit down to enjoy a meal that the FDA approves as safe to consume, think about the disappearance of the pollinators and what that really means for humanity. The honey bee crisis as a warning for humankind to become aware of the damaging effects of pesticides. PAN reports that researchers have found that children who ate organic foods had far less pesticides in their bodies and “increasing your consumption of organic foods can have an immediate impact on your pesticide exposure levels.” Many families cannot afford to buy organic products due to higher costs. We need to urge our government to look for ways to eliminate harmful pesticides and offer more affordable organic foods for everyone. In the meantime, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), based in Washington D.C., has a website at http://www.foodnews.org/ in which one can go to find out what foods to avoid if organic alternatives are not available or affordable. On the EWG website, there is a chart listing the “Dirty Dozen” and the “Clean Fifteen” of the fruits, vegetables, and their toxic levels collected from data from the United States Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For example, on “The Dirty Dozen” list of foods, to buy organic (or avoid), is celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, bell peppers, spinach, cherries, kale/collard greens, potatoes, and imported grapes. These are very regular items that we all enjoy on a daily basis and have no idea is harming our health. Again, where is the warning label when we make these purchases? The “Clean 15” is fruits and vegetables that have lower pesticides such as onions, avocado, eggplant and more. Unfortunately, the “Clean 15” is not ordinarily food that children prefer. Nonetheless, how would the consumer know this information unless she was aware of websites such as the Environmental Working Group’s website or warnings on the labels? Unfortunately, much of the population already has toxic chemicals in their systems, but we need to protect the unborn, the young, and ourselves so they can live a healthy life on a healthy planet that they so deserve. We cannot take the attitude that individually we cannot make a difference. It is up to each person to get involved to make necessary changes. People can sign up for email alerts and updated information from organizations like the Pesticide Action Network that were put together by scientists, engineers, lawyers and a whole team of experts to keep the public informed and force the government to take action. For the sake of your family, be more aware of what you are placing in your grocery carts. Buy organic and pesticide free foods whenever possible, otherwise avoid consuming the “Dirty Dozen” fruits and vegetables. Most of all, we must all harass our government by sending letters to the local Congressmen, Senators and the White House, letting them know that we are aware and demand necessary changes in our agricultural system. The honey bees cannot speak for themselves but we can be the voice of our children, ourselves, nature, and our planet. If nature could speak, pollinators like the honey bees would demand that humans stop using toxic chemicals on crops they pollinate are causing them to get sick and die. Children, grandchildren, and future children of the world need everyone to speak for them now. The next time you sit down to enjoy a meal that the FDA approves as safe to consume, think about the disappearance of the pollinators and what that really means for humanity. The honey bee crisis as a warning for all to become aware of the damaging effects of toxic contaminates to human health when residues are consumed in our foods. We teach our children the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, unaware that the foods that we are encouraging them to eat, is actually causing them harm. Everyone must become an environmentalist and activist. We all have the right to enjoy the freedom of savoring sweet strawberries, biting into a crunchy apple, and providing our families with nutritious and wholesome fruits, vegetables, and foods pesticide free. We cannot just sit back and wait for the government to take action. Protect yourself, protect your family, and protect the environment before we all collapse and die from over exposure to toxins inflicted upon us…just like the innocent honey bees and the world's valuable pollinators.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

This weekend a friend visited for two days and along with him came an adorable two-month-old raccoon abandoned by his mother. I must say I really enjoyed having the sweet little raccoon named “Baby” around for a few days. My five-year-old Bassett Hound “Opie” did not even seem to mind.

For two days, she followed our every move, performed tricks in the trees and took long naps on the deck and in the bushes with Opie.

She was very loveable and playful. I believe she did not even realize that she was a raccoon. I had almost forgotten as well until she followed me into the kitchen. I opened the refrigerator and she spotted leftover hamburgers on a plate. As she went for the plate of burgers, I went to pick her up and stop her and I quickly saw the wild animal instinct come out in her. Soon after this episode, she went back to her sweet self as though nothing happened. I, however, was aware of the fact that as cute as she was, she was a wild animal that had no place being around humans and domesticated pets. It is not only dangerous but also not fair to the wild animal itself. Many people think they are helping the abandoned raccoons by caring for them but they come to depend on humans and become pests and dangerous to the neighborhood and community.

I feel very blessed to have been able to have the experience to spend two days so close to a baby raccoon. I can truly see how one can be tempted to care for them and keep them as a pet. Not to mention, I had a blast taking pictures of her and she was a ham for the camera!

"No, more paparazzi, please"

Wild animals should live in the wild as nature intended for everyone’s sake. If you do happen to stumble on a little wild animal that needs care, check your local listings for an organization that has experience with placing wild animals back into their environment. That would be a better choice for you, your neighborhood and the animal. Arrangements for Baby’s rehabilitation and return to a natural environment are under way. Let us help to keep wild animals away from our safe neighborhoods. Keep tight lids on your garbage cans, feed your domesticated animals indoors, and do not leave any food outside to attract wild animals to your yard. Think twice before you feed a wild animal. It will “bite the hand that feeds them.”

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

In an article in Honey-Bee News.com dated January 23, 2011 it states: "Remember the case of the leaked document showing that the EPA’s own scientists are concerned about a pesticide it approved that might harm fragile honeybee populations? Well, it turns that the EPA isn’t the only government agency whose researchers are worried about neonicotinoid pesticides. USDA researchers also have good evidence that these nicotine-derived chemicals, marketed by German agrichemical giant Bayer, could be playing a part in Colony Collapse Disorder—the mysterious massive honeybee die-offs that United States and Europe have been experiencing in recent years. So why on earth are they still in use on million of acres of American farmland?" (Source: http://www.honeybee-news.com/)

The health of the honey bees effects each and every living creature, large and small, existing on the planet. Dangerous pesticides are still being used that are not only killing off the bee population, but could also have a detrimental effect on human health. Traces of these deadly chemicals could be winding up in our food supply, in the air we breath, and in the water supply. Please take a moment to click on the following link and let your voice be heard. http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/sign/save_the_bees/

Friday, April 29, 2011

"Honeybees are dying off at an alarming rate. And, if Americans don’t act now to deal with what is being called “Colony Collapse Disorder,” we risk devastating our domestic food supply. Yes, it’s that serious. According to American beekeepers, around one-third of the existing population of honeybees has died off every year since 2006 -- and scientists believe this year could be even worse.As more than 30% of our domestic food production depends on honey bee pollination, this crisis can’t be ignored. What is causing Colony Collapse Disorder? There are a number of reasons, but mounting evidence points to pesticides -- and three “neonicotinoid” pesticides in particular: clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiomethoxam. That’s why a coalition of nonprofits, beekeepers, and concerned citizens are asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban these three pesticides. More than 1.2 million people have already signed onto the coalition’s campaign. Will you? We don’t have much time. Please click here now to tell the EPA to ban these pesticides and save American honeybees. On May 5, more than 1.2 million signatures -- including yours -- will be hand-delivered to the EPA."

I received this message in an email from Change.org. today and feel an urgent need to share this information. We need the FDA to take a good look at the chemicals that are killing off the honey bees as well as other pollinators. Who knows what damage these pesticides can have on human health. We all need to be concerned and take action now. Thanks!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Congress writes a new Farm Bill every 5 years. Help the Environmental Working Group, EWG, to help us have healthier food. We can all help to make a difference. Click on the following link: http://www.ewg.org/farmtofood/?key=39391312

"Quietly, billions of bees are being killed off across the country threatening our crops and food. But a ban of one group of pesticides could save bees from extinction. Four European countries have begun banning the poisons and bee populations are recovering. But chemical companies are lobbying hard to keep all killer pesticides on the market. A global outcry now for a ban in the US and EU, where debate is raging, could provoke a total ban and a ripple effect around the world. giant global buzz calling for these dangerous chemicals to be outlawed until and unless they are proved to be safe." Click on the following link.......http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees_usa/?copy

Monday, April 11, 2011

People who can laugh at a good joke ( or even themselves), comedians, and people who have the good sense to utilize the benefits that humor has to offer, all have something in common. They all possess a “sense of humor.” According to Dictionary.com, a sense of humor is “the trait of appreciating (and being able to express) the humorous.” It is also a coping mechanism to deal with life’s absurdities, a physical and mental health aid, and a tool to strengthen your relationships (if used properly).

There are certainly many things going on in our lives that we have to worry about and take seriously. As adults, we worry about job security, taxes, housing and feeding our families, crime, terrorists, the environment, illnesses, war, loss of loved ones, and the list goes on. Still, we wake up every morning to start a brand new day. Possessing a sense of humor means that you can allow yourself to add laughter to your life, it can help you to cope with whatever challenges and obstacles come your way. When you are feeling overwhelmed, there is nothing like a good laugh to get you through those moments. You will feel much better if you surround yourself with people who can learn how to look at the positives, and help you laugh at life’s absurdities. It enhances your mood, enables you to focus, eases fear and tension, and allows you to live more fully.

Photo by RJW

Having a sense of humor also enables you to laugh. When you laugh, stress hormones are reduced, and your entire body relaxes, easing tension. Immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies are increased which improves your resistance to disease. A good laugh triggers the release of endorphins, the natural “feel good” chemical in the brain. This chemical is our body’s natural way to reduce pain. Laughter is also good for your heart. It increases the blood flow and improves the function of the blood vessels. Laughter truly is the best medicine. A sense of humor is a tool that can help strengthen your relationships and help you make new ones. No one likes to be in the presence of someone who takes everything in life too seriously. People are attracted to individuals that greet you with a smile, that know how to laugh, and who enjoy looking at the brighter side of life. It can improve your relationships with your partner; family, friends, employers, co-workers, and can help you in social environments. On the other hand, a sense of humor is an asset that also needs to be controlled. No one enjoys being around an obnoxious person that makes a joke out of everything and everyone, a person who laughs inappropriately, or can never take life seriously.There is a great quote by a man named Hugh Sidey. It reads, “A sense of humor... is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life.” If you think you have lost your sense of humor, it can be found again by watching shows that make you laugh like “America’s Funniest Videos”, or rent a comedy film, find someone who makes you laugh, and spend more time with them. Learn how to loosen up and laugh again. Your mental and physical health will benefit as well as your personal relationships.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

One thing I always have on stock in my medicine cabinet all year long is thyme essential oil. Thyme is a common herb and is generally used as a condiment or spice.

Thyme oil is extracted from steam distillation of dried or fresh leaves and also from flowering tops of the plant.

This essential oil has many medicinal properties but in my home, we use it at the first signs of congestion. Great as an expectorant. It's lung stimulant properties help in easing bronchitis, asthma, colds and other problems with the lungs and the whole respiratory system.

My children are grown but ever since they were little and they were not feeling good, they would ask for a thyme bath and then they would put thyme cream on their chest. It also provides a feeling of comfort, breaks up the congestion and helps you to breath. (It is so much better than the old Vicks vapor rub that would stick to your pajamas!!)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Lavender Essential Oil has been used for therapeutic applications for thousands of years.

In the nineteenth century when tuberculosis and infection was rampant in France, it was found that the people working in the lavender fields in Province were less likely to contract respiratory ailments such as tuberculosis.Lavender Oil has been proven to alleviate anxiety. It produces slight calming, soothing, and sedative effects when its scent is inhaled. Lavender has been referred to as a "mood balancing herb". In the evening I place a few drops in hot water. It not only makes the house smell wonderful but you are getting the calming benefits of the aromatherapy. Add a few drops to a bath and enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy combined with hydrotherapy for a great nights sleep!

Lavender is a beautiful addition to your garden. It is a perennial herb. Their flowers keep their fragrance when dried.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

After all this cold and mounds of frozen snow from numerous snow storms, I am so looking forward to warm weather. I really miss going down to the town fishing dock on a warm Summer morning with a cup of coffee and observing the double-crested cormorants and gulls. I love the cormorants but the local fishermen don't share the same feeling. They complain that they eat all the fish but the worst part is sometimes they think they caught "the big one" but unfortunately sometimes they catch a cormorant. They don't always see the cormorants because they dive under the water. It is very unfortunate for the fishermen but especially for the cormorant.

Double-crested cormorants are rather large birds. They can grow over two feet with a wing span of four feet. They don't have the oil in their skin to protect their feathers from being wet like ducks and other water birds. They perch themselves and open up their wings and dry them out. It really is amazing to watch. They like to feed and perch in groups and seem to get along well with the sea gulls down at our town dock.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Let's face it, there is so many wonderful chocolate brands to choose from. Today I am sharing my love of Green & Black's Organic chocolate.Farmers in Belize and The Dominican Republic grow their organic cocoa.Their trademark is their intense flavor.They use only the finest organically grown cocoa.They use natural, sustainable farming methods with no pesticides. (Cocoa is one of the most highly sprayed crops in the world.)http://www.greenandblacks.com/us/http://www.facebook.com/GreenandBlacks.US?ref=ts

Darn, that job has been filled but I will check back for future openings & get my passport ready.

Monday, February 7, 2011

If you have read any of my other posts you may already have figured out that I am fascinated by nature's pollinators and their importance. Did you know that little insects called midges are the primary pollinators of the cacao flowers?

"A tiny fly no bigger than the head of a pin is responsible for the world's supply of chocolate." —Allen Young, a leading cacao expert

"The cacao-pollinating midges require humid shade with a wide range of plant species and decaying matter on the ground, which is the natural habitat of cacao. The bigger a cacao plantation, the less likely the midges will find their way into the sunny, dry and cultivated groves of cacao trees to pollinate individual flowers. Additionally, while wild cacao flowers give off over 75 distinct aroma ingredients (compare that to 14 in the rose and 7 in the onion) to attract pollinators, cultivated cacao has only a small percentage of those, leaving the midges even less likely to venture onto the plantations."

*All the chocolate we eat comes from the cacao tree, which grows best in tropical rainforests;*Cacao tree farmers, to keep up with the demand for chocolate, have had to clear rainforests for more room to farm;*The pods of the cacao tree contain seeds that are processed into chocolate;*This secret of the seeds was discovered in the rainforests 2000 years ago;

"Tree's Basic BiologyAs a small tree native to the rainforest understory, cacao has adapted to its environment in many ways.First, it requires strict climatic conditions to germinate, grow, flower, and produce pods. Second, its propagation depends upon the intervention of other rainforest mammals, birds, and insects.Cacao’s biology makes it well-suited for survival in the wild, but more difficult to grow on sunny farms.Cacao Tree RequirementsCacao trees are quite picky about their environment. If any of the following requirements are not met, the cacao tree will stop bearing fruit:Regular rainfall Steady, warm temperatures Constant, high humidity Partial shade Rich, well-drained soil Canopy trees to protect plants from wind and moisture loss" http://www.fieldmuseum.org/Chocolate/grow_intro.html

With all the chocolate I have eaten in my lifetime, I am surprised there is any rainforests left!!Benefits of dark chocolate:•it tastes good •it stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure •it contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant •it contains theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulants.Dark chocolate is good for your heart. A small bar of it everyday can help keep your heart and cardiovascular system running well. Two heart health benefits of dark chocolate are:

•Lower Blood Pressure: Studies have shown that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate everyday can reduce blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure.

•Lower Cholesterol: Dark chocolate has also been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) by up to 10 percent.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

There is truth in the saying "laughter is the best medicine". They say that children laugh about 400 times a day, adults only about 15 times a day. Of course as an adult we have many trials and tribulations and situations that aren't so funny (and nothing to laugh about) but that is even more reason to bring laughter into your life.

Truthfully speaking I personally couldn't have gotten this far in life without a good sense of humor. Of course I have taught my three sons that life is to be taken seriously but to also have a good sense of humor. (Lucky for them they inherited this from both of his parents!)Dave & Matt in Greenport, pic by RJW

Try adding a little more laughter to your life. Laugh at yourself, surround yourself with people that make you laugh, shut off the news and put on a comedy show! I myself am liking the looks of that Laughter Yoga....it cracks me up justing thinking about it.

Don't you just love those "out of control" laughing fits that you can get hit with at no given notice. Usually this happens at the most inappropriate moment.

Some Quotes and Prose by Chief Dan George....."O Great Spirit whose voice I hear in the winds,I come to you as one of your many children.I need your strength and your wisdom.Make me strong not to be superior to my brother,but to be able to fight my greatest enemy: "Myself"<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>The beauty of the trees, the softness of the air,the fragrance of the grass speaks to me.The summit of the mountain, the thunder of the sky, The rhythm of the sea, speaks to me.The faintness of the stars, the freshness of the morning, the dewdrop on the flower, speaks to me.The strength of the fire, the taste of salmon, the trail of the sun,and the life that never goes away, they speak to meAnd my heart soars.